Energy Efficiency
Insulation Upgrades Pay Off Handsomely
11/28/2011 09:28 AM
These days the U.S. Department of Energy figures 50% to 70% of the energy used in homes is for heating or cooling activities. A properly insulated home creates a more comfortable, consistent indoor climate while significantly improving your home's energy efficiency. Adding or replacing aging or failing insulation can deliver one of the greatest returns on investment that a homeowner can make.
If you live in a home that's more than a few years old, it will probably pay off for you to figure out if your house is properly insulated. If you decide to forego hiring a professional, here are a few facts and tips to keep in mind when determining whether now is the time to improve your home environment:
Adding insulation to your attic, basement, or crawl space is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency in your home. Proper insulation can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 30% and may make you eligible to receive a federal tax credit. Many heating and cooling problems you may think are related to an HVAC system can actually be solved with proper insulation.
What are R-Values?
In building construction, insulating materials are assigned a quantitative measure of the insulating capability known as the R-value, which essentially measures how well certain building insulation materials can resist heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation, therefore insulation with a higher R-value will perform better than insulation with a lower rating. Blown-in insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass. Spray-foam insulation has comparable R-values to blown-in but is even better at "air sealing." Attic insulation is critical. You should shoot for a minimum of R-30 but R-38 is recommended.
Many homes have insulation aplenty but incorrectly installed leading to voids, which can drastically reduce the R-value. Sometimes all that is needed is to spread out insulation better in an attic or check for falling or loose insulation in a crawl space.
Regardless of its lower R-value, fiberglass batt insulation remains the most common due to its availability and ease of installation. Batts are precut sections of fiberglass or rock wool insulation that are designed for easy handling and use between framing, such as studs and joists. Batts are available either with or without paper or aluminum foil facing. They can be used in floors, walls, attics and ceilings.
Adequate Ventilation is a Must
If you are adding insulation to an attic be sure to maintain proper soffit/roof/ridge ventilation. This is necessary to prevent too much heat and condensation from building up as well as to provide fresh air. Next, plug leaks to prevent air from getting in and out in areas such as around windows and doors. Always fix leaks before installing insulation, as they may be difficult to find when the job is completed.
Safety During Installation
Working with insulation can cause itching and skin irritation, so make sure you take proper safety precautions. Wear long sleeves and pants, work gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask or respirator to avoid irritating your skin or breathing in harmful substances. Vacuum your clothing immediately after to help reduce the chances of skin irritation.
Whether you’re comparing quotes for insulation from professionals or considering taking on the project yourself, it certainly helps to know the basics. We hope this info puts you on the path to a successful insulation project.
Writing collaborated by Duane Johns (Advanced Renovations, Inc.) and Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).
If you live in a home that's more than a few years old, it will probably pay off for you to figure out if your house is properly insulated. If you decide to forego hiring a professional, here are a few facts and tips to keep in mind when determining whether now is the time to improve your home environment:
- Insulation does not last forever
- Many older homes have NO insulation
- Many homes have plenty of insulation but it is improperly installed
- There is a tax credit until the end of 2011 of 10% up to $500 for the cost of insulation materials
- Determine where you need to add insulation
- Decide how much additional insulation R-value you need
- Figure out the type of insulation you need
- Calculate the quantity of insulation you should buy
Adding insulation to your attic, basement, or crawl space is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency in your home. Proper insulation can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 30% and may make you eligible to receive a federal tax credit. Many heating and cooling problems you may think are related to an HVAC system can actually be solved with proper insulation.
What are R-Values?
In building construction, insulating materials are assigned a quantitative measure of the insulating capability known as the R-value, which essentially measures how well certain building insulation materials can resist heat. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulation, therefore insulation with a higher R-value will perform better than insulation with a lower rating. Blown-in insulation has a higher R-value than fiberglass. Spray-foam insulation has comparable R-values to blown-in but is even better at "air sealing." Attic insulation is critical. You should shoot for a minimum of R-30 but R-38 is recommended.
Many homes have insulation aplenty but incorrectly installed leading to voids, which can drastically reduce the R-value. Sometimes all that is needed is to spread out insulation better in an attic or check for falling or loose insulation in a crawl space.
Regardless of its lower R-value, fiberglass batt insulation remains the most common due to its availability and ease of installation. Batts are precut sections of fiberglass or rock wool insulation that are designed for easy handling and use between framing, such as studs and joists. Batts are available either with or without paper or aluminum foil facing. They can be used in floors, walls, attics and ceilings.
Adequate Ventilation is a Must
If you are adding insulation to an attic be sure to maintain proper soffit/roof/ridge ventilation. This is necessary to prevent too much heat and condensation from building up as well as to provide fresh air. Next, plug leaks to prevent air from getting in and out in areas such as around windows and doors. Always fix leaks before installing insulation, as they may be difficult to find when the job is completed.
Safety During Installation
Working with insulation can cause itching and skin irritation, so make sure you take proper safety precautions. Wear long sleeves and pants, work gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask or respirator to avoid irritating your skin or breathing in harmful substances. Vacuum your clothing immediately after to help reduce the chances of skin irritation.
Whether you’re comparing quotes for insulation from professionals or considering taking on the project yourself, it certainly helps to know the basics. We hope this info puts you on the path to a successful insulation project.
Writing collaborated by Duane Johns (Advanced Renovations, Inc.) and Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).